News

Apple teams up with airlines for in-flight iPod connectivity

By LC Angell ● Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Apple said today that it has partnered with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to deliver in-flight iPod connectivity. Beginning in mid-2007, the six airlines will offer passengers iPod seat connections which power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays.

“There is no better traveling companion than an iPod, and now travelers can power their iPods during flight and even watch their iPod movies and TV shows on their seat back displays,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “We’re excited to work with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to offer iPod users an even better in-flight experience.”

Comments

1

Not quite the big press release they needed to take away any news from the Zune release but..

If this goes through, it will be a great option for those long flights that would normally sap the standard battery down to nothing. No need to buy that external battery anymore!

Posted by cjp on November 14, 2006 at 9:56 AM (CST)

1

soo…will that just be first class? Because I’m pretty sure not all those airlines have seatback displays in coach….

Posted by Crazydog on November 14, 2006 at 10:21 AM (CST)

1

PS: I just bought an ext. battery too.. :P

Posted by Crazydog on November 14, 2006 at 10:21 AM (CST)

1

Crazydog, it will likely be only jets with the setting in the back. More midsized jets are getting the set back displays, even in coach now a days.

Posted by studogvetmed on November 14, 2006 at 10:24 AM (CST)

1

from delta: “Delta is one of the first airlines to make in-flight iPod connectivity available to its customers beginning in mid-2007 and expects to equip its entire domestic transcontinental fleet with the audio/video integration plus charging functionality by 2008. This includes more than 100 Boeing 737-800, 757-200, 767-300 and 767-400 aircraft. Panasonic Avionics Corporation will provide all in-flight iPod offering integration services for the airline.”
“This announcement follows the airline’s fall launch of a new, two-class domestic transcontinental product offering state-of-the-art, digital in-flight entertainment – with first-run and popular classic movies; live, satellite television; a wide-ranging selection of music and artists; and, a suite of video games – all available on demand at every passenger’s seat”

1

This is pretty cool, but it won’t change the criteria I use to book my flights - price. If United or Continental is cheaper, fine. If not, my nano lasts like 14 hours.

Posted by Anonymous on November 14, 2006 at 11:50 AM (CST)

1

This is a good idea right up until the creepy guy next to you whips out the porn

Posted by Andrea on November 14, 2006 at 11:54 AM (CST)

1

@ cjp

Wait a second….there’s big news about the Zune?!? Cause from talking with my friends and family members, the only big news I hear is that the Zune is going to be a BIG dud. I personally don’t qualify that as big news, mostly because I always new that it wasn’t going to live up to it’s hype, but I guess it is for some.

Have to say though that this airline integration agreement looks very promising and I hope it becomes as useful as it sounds.

Posted by Blue22 on November 14, 2006 at 11:57 AM (CST)

1

You can still use extended batteries for other situations, so I would continue buying them.

I wonder what the resolution on the larger seatback screen is. Would the movie quality look okay or is it best to watch directly from the Ipod?

Plus the updated new Ipod with larger screen will be sold next year - according to rumors.

Posted by IngridG on November 14, 2006 at 1:26 PM (CST)

1

come on. give us regular AC outlets first, so we can plug in our laptops, iPods or whatever…

Posted by mike on November 14, 2006 at 2:36 PM (CST)

1

sweeet i fly continental and emirates all the time, and i never watched videos before on my flights because of battery life and the small screen.

this solves two problems, awesome!

Posted by mrmojorisingi on November 14, 2006 at 5:51 PM (CST)

1

Mike, can you imagine what will happen on a plane with regular AC outlets allowing the passengers to plug in ANYthing they wanted to….

I know what mean and feel your pain but the airlines have to think past what us normal people would do.

Posted by 3rdEye on November 15, 2006 at 6:41 AM (CST)

1

God bless being a private pilot, I don’t have to deal with any of this shite. I fly a 1969 Cessna, but it still has a power outlet for car charges, and my headset has an audio in line, ah, nothing like crusing cross country while listening to “Flight of the Valkyries”